Heart Valves: Functions, Common Disorders, and Treatments
Heart valves play a crucial role in maintaining the proper flow of blood through the heart and to the rest of the body. Understanding how heart valves work, recognizing common valve problems, and knowing available treatment options can help you protect your heart health.
What Are Heart Valves?
The heart has four valves that ensure one-way blood flow through its chambers:
- Mitral valve: Controls blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
- Tricuspid valve: Controls blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
- Aortic valve: Regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta (main artery).
- Pulmonary valve: Controls blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery (lungs).
Each valve opens and closes with every heartbeat to prevent blood from flowing backward.
How Do Heart Valves Work?
Heart valves open to allow blood to move forward and close tightly to prevent backflow. This coordinated action maintains efficient circulation and ensures oxygen-rich blood reaches the body while oxygen-poor blood is sent to the lungs.
Common Heart Valve Disorders
1. Valve Stenosis
Valve stenosis occurs when a valve narrows, limiting blood flow. This forces the heart to work harder to pump blood, which can lead to symptoms like:
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
Common causes include age-related calcification and rheumatic fever.
2. Valve Regurgitation (Insufficiency)
In regurgitation, a valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to leak backward. Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Swelling in legs or abdomen
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
This condition can result from valve prolapse, infection, or damage from heart disease.
3. Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse happens when the valve’s flaps bulge into the left atrium during contraction. It often causes mild or no symptoms but may sometimes lead to palpitations and chest discomfort.
Symptoms of Heart Valve Problems
Symptoms vary but can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen
- Chest pain or palpitations
- Fainting or dizziness
Early detection through regular checkups is important.
Diagnosis
Heart valve problems are diagnosed using:
- Echocardiogram: Ultrasound imaging to visualize valve structure and function.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures heart rhythm.
- Chest X-ray: Checks heart size and lung condition.
- Cardiac catheterization: Examines blood flow and pressures inside the heart.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type and severity of valve disease:
- Medications: To manage symptoms and reduce complications (e.g., diuretics, blood thinners).
- Lifestyle changes: Healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking.
- Valve repair: Surgical procedures to fix the damaged valve.
- Valve replacement: Using mechanical or biological prosthetic valves.
- Minimally invasive procedures: Such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Living with Heart Valve Disease
With appropriate treatment and monitoring, many people with heart valve problems lead healthy lives. Regular follow-ups and lifestyle adjustments are key to managing symptoms and preventing complications.
